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I know that if I could have, I would have left this dreadful place the moment we stepped foot in it. But it was never my decision to make.
“They organized a grand exodus for the day after the harvest’s completion,” he continues, oblivious to my thoughts. “Several hundred valefolk strapped all their belongings to their backs and headed toward the Askonnet Mountain range. Even though we were armed with weapons to defend against the Shrouded, we did not stand a chance against the shadow beasts.”
He grimaces and closes his eyes, taking a moment to collect himself.
Oh, I think.Of course. He speaks from experience.
After a long inhale, the librarian finishes the account, but his words are fitful and hard to hear. “It was a massacre. Out of the hundreds who attempted to flee, only a handful were spared. My wife and I were fortunate, but loss either touched or claimed most households.” A tear slips down his cheek. “The damage it did to people’s minds was ... significant.” He shakes his head. “No one ever thought the Shrouded were such a mighty force.”
I reach over and cover his hand with my own. He regards me with surprise, but a grateful smile follows.
“What happened next?” I ask, not impatiently, but in a whisper.
“In an act of desperation, Jakkor had every single record of the Outlands purged from Utsanek history. He burned all literature originating from outside our borders, and the people gave it all over willingly, so great was our fear. He also forbade the people from speaking of what could lie beyond.”
He wipes his face with a hand and clears his throat. His features are so grim, so pale. I regret making him relive it all.
“Those were the darkest days I can ever remember. It did a number on the valefolk. We’ve been scrambling to appease the kaligorven ever since.” He gives his head a sad shake. “So many Light Creatures were killed, and so many rituals were observed.
“When that poor woman opposed the Hunt a couple decades later, it made a lot of folks nervous. But it also spurred some of us to remember the horrors of our history. Her bravery kindled hope in many. But when she got herself killed, it smothered all confidence. What we did not expect, though, was the mysterious silence of the Shrouded. I think the people were so grateful for the reprieve from both the kaligorven and the solas, they didn’t mind watching the sola brossa fade over time. They had never known such peace in their lifetime—until the Light Creatures came back.”
A thousand new questions crowd my mind. Who was this woman who so bravely challenged the system? And why did the solas stop coming when she died?
But I don’t have a moment to put them into words when his eyes find mine again. “So, miss, no, you won’t be finding any books or records from the Outlands within Utsanek. Believe me, I’ve tried. And it is best to leave it that way.”
He acts as if this is the end of the conversation. My mouth opens to protest, only to be stopped by the dinging of the doorbell.
I turn around and find myself facing a girl with a familiar pendant shining at her neck.
32. Amyrah
AMYRAH
THE TINKLING BELL WAKES ME from my stupor. As I step through the doorway, I dig into my bag to retrieve the book. When I look up, warm hazel irises stare back at me. Recognition flickers as I take in the girl’s face, her wardrobe, the dozens of bracelets wrapped around her wrists.
“I-I remember you,” she says, eyes growing even wider than they already were.
I frown at the awkward greeting, but I can’t deny I’m as surprised to see her. “Yes, from the market, right?” The book feels heavy in my hands as I set it on the counter. I glance at the man behind the desk as he reaches for it with a puzzled expression on his face.
The girl swallows and nods, her eyes falling to my necklace.
Oh, right.Shame rushes through me like an icy wind.
“I’m so sorry,” I say, rushing to untie the pendant and hold it out to her. “You made this, right?”
She cocks her chin, confusion only deepening the surprise. “How did you get that?” she whispers.
My stomach weaves itself into knots. I bite my lower lip. “I found it in the market square after the first Hunt.”
She shakes her head quickly. “No, I mean, I’m positive my brother had it.”
It’s my turn to be confused. “I ... did ... give it to a scared little boy.” My mind reels. The lost child was her brother?
The girl’s mouth presses into a line as her eyes follow the sway of the blinding star. Strange shadows slip across her smooth features.
“But it made its way back to me. I’m not sure I understand how.” I drop the necklace into her open hand. “I’m glad it can be returned to you.”
We both gasp. The moment it touches her skin, its light goes dim, looking just as it did when my father held it.
